by L. J. Swartz
"Dalton, I heard about you leaving the bar with some hot ass college chick." I roll my eyes as Dave walks up to me clapping me on the shoulder. I lean forward. "It ended up being with two hot ass college girls." I hold two fingers up in his face as his eyes widen. He's been married for 10 years to his high school sweetheart. He's only ever had one vagina. ONE. I love rubbing it in when I get some. I don't do it every time, or I'd just be being a dick. I step around him leaving him stunned where he stands. "Hey Dalton your 11 cancelled." Sunny calls out as I'm about to pass by the desk. I stop and look at her. "Like when? Right as I walked in the door because it would have been nice to know that so I could sleep the fuck in." I hiss. She rolls her eyes at me. "I just got off the phone with her while you were gloating about your two college girls." She holds to fingers up trying to mimic my voice. She sucks at being a dude. Good thing for Steve unless he's into that. I wink at her then walk over to my station. I'm beyond tired, but getting to bang two hot chicks adds a pep in your step, whether you're tired or not. I pull out my sketch pad and walk over sitting at the drawing table. Dave sits next to me. "So two? Are you fucking with me?" I shake my head no as I start to sketch out an idea for a guy that came in last night right before I left, asking if I'd draw him up a tattoo of a sugar skull with a bit of a industrial feel to it. I'll do my best. I'm not big on dicking with something that's fine just the way it is, but hey he's the one paying. "I shit you not Dave. I was getting head by one and the other just came in and joined the party." He shakes his head. "You ever gonna grow out of that shit?" I look to him like he's on crack. "Uh no. You ever gonna get divorced and try having some different pussy?" He raises his eye brow. "I don't need other pussy. I love my wife dickhead." I huff then get back to my sketch. He stands and walks over to his station. The bell above the door dings. I hear it but don't really acknowledge it. I hear Sunny tell someone, "Yeah he's right over there." Damn it. I just wanted to take the opportunity to get this sketch done instead of dealing with someone who wants to talk about a tattoo they want. I don't look up as someone steps next to me. I sigh loudly then look up meeting green eyes that make me think of flawless cut emeralds. I huff then look back to my sketch. What the fuck does she want now? "Dalton?" I slam my pen to the table. I see her jump out the corner of my eye. I turn to face her crossing my arms over my chest. "Why hello Carmen. What can I do for you today? You have a picture of me and my dad when he was still around you'd like to shove in my face ruining my day?" She widens her eyes then clears her throat shaking her head back and forth frantically. I instantly feel like a dick. I sit up resting my elbows to my knees running my hands up and down my face. "I thought he died." She whispers. I look up at her raising my eye brow. "No he left." I stand and walk over to the desk to check my appointment book. I can't remember if my appointment that cancelled was two or three hours. I may go home, to the hotel, for a bit. I feel her step up behind me. I check my book then slam it to the desk. Sunny jumps then takes it putting it back for me. I spin around. Carmen is looking right at me. "WHAT?" I bark. She bites her bottom lip. I swallow hard as I watch her decide what to say next. "I didn't know. I'm sorry. I thought we had something in common. I'll just....I'll just go." She doesn't look at me as she rambles it all off. I sigh loudly then for whatever reason grab her arm as she's about to walk away. She looks down at my hand then up meeting my gaze. "I'm sorry. He didn't die, but I know what it's like to mourn." Tears spring to her eyes. Damn it why do I keep making this beautiful creature cry? She blinks her eyes then slowly takes her arm from my hand rubbing where I touched her. I didn't hurt her did I? I search her face for any sign that I did. "Are you busy?" She asks so quietly I almost don't hear her. I look over at the drawing table. I told that guy I'd have a sketch for him by 5'o clock tonight. It's only like 11:45, so fuck it. "No I'm good for another couple hours or so." She gets a sweet smile on her face. "Wanna get some coffee or something?" I search her face. What the fuck does this girl want from me? I nod then look to Sunny. "I'll be back for my 2'o clock." She salutes me making me smile. Maybe she's not so bad. I motion toward the door. "Lead the way." She smiles then turns and walks toward the door. Today she has on a tight ass pair of jeans. Not quite as good as the yoga pants, but I doubt she looks bad in anything. She glances over her shoulder at me as she pushes on the door. I smirk knowing damn well she caught me checking out her ass. She shakes her head as I step through the door behind her then turns looking at me. "I'm not from around here, so that's about as far as I can lead. Where is a good coffee place?" I narrow my eyes then hold my hand out to her. She looks at it like it's made of acid. "I don't bite. Well maybe a little." She chuckles then slides her hand into mine. I look down at our hands for a second. Hers' is so tiny in mine. Makes me feel masculine. Like I could protect her. I turn and lead her down the street. There's a little diner on the corner of the next street. "So this is all sweet, but what the hell is your angle here?" I ask as we cross the first intersection. She stops walking causing me to stop. She doesn't try to take her hand from mine. I'm a little worried that I feel relieved by that. She swallows hard. "Look I just intended to get the tattoo and be gone. But the way you spoke of my dad......it made me feel like you really knew him. Not many people did ya know? He kept to himself a lot. You were special to him too if he took the time to encourage you like he did. I just wanted to be around someone else who knew how great he was." I feel like a total dick. There seems to be a on going pattern when she's around. I can't help but be a dick and make her cry, and she can't help but be the most adorable, sexy, breathtaking woman I've ever spent more than five minutes with without fucking. "Fair enough." I lead her the rest of the way to the diner feeling like a total douche bag. I am really. I don't ever take into account that not everyone is out to get something from me. She just wanted to share our common respect for her father. We step to the door. I open it for her then place my hand on her back pressing her through first. Mabel waves as the door closes behind me. I don't know why that woman likes me so much, but she does. "Dalton hunny how are ya?" I smile then take Carmen's hand in mine again leading her over to the counter. "Just grabbing some coffee real quick." I feel a bit awkward now. How the hell do I introduce Carmen? She's not really a friend or anything. Mabel glances at her then looks at me expectantly. Carmen holds her free hand out. "Carmen LeSage. I, uh came to get tattooed by Dalton. He's a huge inspiration to me artistically." Mabel shakes her hand then looks to our joined hands. It doesn't add up. Damn it what the hell does everyone want from me? She's Mr. LeSage's daughter. I can't seem to tell her no or stop fucking touching her. I slide my hand from hers. She looks at me like she's a bit hurt by that. I place my hand to her back. "Let's go find a table." Mabel reaches out touching my cheek. "Go sit in Jen's section." I wink at her then direct Carmen to a booth in the corner. Jen is Mabel's niece. She has been trying to push us together since I moved here 3 years ago. Jen is a nice girl and that's exactly why I won't ever ask her out. She doesn't want a bum like me. She needs a decent guy with a career who wants kids and the fucking fenced in yard. Carmen sits in the seat facing the back of the restaurant. I like that side too so I don't have to see anyone else. I scoot in next to her. She gives me a funny look but moves in letting me. Jen steps up to our table. Her smile drops when she sees I'm not alone. "Hey Dalton." She plants a fake smile back on her face. "Hey Jen." I look to Carmen. She raises her eye brow. I smirk then look back to Jen. "This is my friend Carmen." I stress the word friend as not to rock the boat. I'll never start anything with Jen, but then again I don't plan on ever starting a relationship with anyone. I still don't want to hurt her feelings or give her the wrong idea about me and Carmen. Her smile turns from fake to genuine. She leans in front of me holding her hand out. "A friend of Dalton's is a friend of mine." I hold in a chuckle as Carmen shakes her hand politely. "What can I get you two?" I wave my hand in the air. "Just coffee." Carmen sits up looking around me at Jen. "Actually I would like one of those amazing blueberry muffins I saw in the case up there." Jen n
ods. "Those just came out of the oven. I'll go grab one for you while they're still warm." I wink at her as she turns to walk away. She squeezes my bicep then walks off. Carmen clears her throat loudly. I look to her then raise my eye brow. "So you're doing the waitress and the hot brunette from the bar?" I'm a bit shocked by the bluntness of her question. I lay my arm out on the back of the bench behind her. She shifts next to me, but holds my gaze. I lean forward getting closer. Something in me is unable to keep a safe distance from her. Her eyes flick to my lips then back to my eyes. "I'm not doing anyone right now." I state then lean just a bit closer. She inhales sharply then pushes on my chest. "Whatever Dalton you know what I mean." She seems annoyed by my obviously promiscuous life style. I'm used to most people not liking it, but for some reason knowing she doesn't, makes me feel like a total douche bag. It's the same feeling I had at the bar when she saw we leave with perky tits. I swallow hard then get my lips right next to her ear. I watch as I chill runs through her body. I feel victorious that she reacts so obviously. "I'm not doing the waitress." I whisper. She turns her head quickly, our lips graze. It's like a jolt of electricity shoots through my body. I hold in a groan then take my hand from behind her. Her eyes are the size of saucers. What the fuck was that? "Uh I gotta piss." I stand before she can say anything. I need to finish our little coffee date, so she can feel connected to someone who knew her dad, then send her on her marry way. I piss like I told her I was going to then wash my hands looking in the mirror. What the hell am I doing? That's Mr. LeSage's daughter out there. I shake my head. I need to keep my hands to myself from now on. I will not disrespect him like that. I dry my hands and walk back to our table. She looks up at me with a smile. It falls when I sit across from her. She searches my face then scoots over to the middle of her bench looking down at her phone. I take her in while she's not looking at me. She really is breathtaking. I've never in my life thought of a woman as breathtaking. Then again I'd never met Carmen LeSage. Jen steps up to our table taking Carmen's attention from her phone as she sits her muffin down. I'm actually a little bummed that the moment is lost. She glances at me with a smile then slides the plate with her muffin on it over in front of her. Jen sits two empty coffee cups and the typical silver coffee pot down on the table. "Cream or sugar?" I know she's not asking me. She knows I take my coffee black. Carmen looks to me. I shake my head no. "Uh cream please." She asks politely. Jen sits a little cup of cream down then smiles at me before walking away. I pick up the pot pouring us each a cup. She thanks me, then takes a bite of her muffin. I never knew a muffin could be sexy. But watching her gorgeous lips wrap around it then her tongue flick out catching stray crumbs is definitely turning me on. I reach down adjusting myself then pick up my coffee taking a sip. "Uh can I ask how it happened?" I wasn't going to ask, but since she's forced this. Now I want to know. She looks up meeting my gaze. She said it happened 5 years ago. I didn't think it would be too fresh, but judging from the look on her face, it is. I hold my hand up. "Never mind you don't have to..." She cuts me off. "He was diagnosed with cancer then died a week later." Fuck me. I didn't expect that. Heart attack, stroke maybe, car accident, but not cancer. I search her face. There's no sign of tears in her eyes, but I see the pain of her loss in them. "I'm sorry Carmen." She shrugs then picks up her muffin taking another bite. I clear my throat then motion to it. "Good?" She holds her hand in front of her mouth. "So good." I chuckle then look to the table. I look up to a muffin in my face. I move back a bit. "Try it." She tells me shoving it in my face. I shake my head no. She moves it so that it's touching my lips. "Take a bite Dalton." I open my mouth and take a bite. She smiles as she puts it to her mouth taking another bite herself. It is really fucking good. "You like?" She asks with her hand in front of her mouth. I nod then pick up my coffee taking a sip to help swallow it down. She looks to me with a smile on her face. "What?" She motions me to her. I lean forward as she reaches out. "You have a couple crumbs." I meet her gaze as she grazes her finger tips across my lips. It feels like temptation that I'm not sure I can say no to. She stills her hand then caresses my bottom lip with her thumb as her breathing deepens. This was a bad idea. I sit back then stand abruptly. "I need to get back. I'll get the check." Her arm is still outstretched. She lowers it slowly as she nods at me. God damn it. I feel like a dick again. "I forgot I have a sketch that needs done by five and my 2'o clock will probably run pass 4 so...." I need her to think it's not her that's causing me to end this. Even though it damn well is. She nods again then picks up her coffee. Fuck me. I sigh then bend down sitting next to her. She scoots in holding my gaze. I don't know what to say now. I open my mouth but something happens I don't expect. She grabs my face crashing her lips to mine. I should push her a way, but fuck me she tastes like blueberry muffin and coffee. I wrap my arms around her holding her to me as I plunge my tongue into her mouth tasting her over and over again needing, wanting more of her. She wraps her leg over mine. I groan as the warmth between her legs presses to my side. Fuck me. Fuck me. We're in Mabel's diner. I reluctantly push on her shoulders. She moves back not looking the least bit embarrassed or ashamed. That makes me want her even more. I shift then adjust myself. It's painful. She chuckles as she glances to my hand trying to find a better position for my rock hard dick. "Yeah laugh it up. At least no one can tell when you're......" I motion to her. She raises her eye brow at me. "Oh I think everyone in here knows that you turn me on." I swallow hard. Why did she have to say it out loud. I close my eyes then shake my head. I want to go get the check, but there's no way I can walk around right now. She starts to stand next to me. I look to her confused. "I'll go grab the check." She bumps the table with her hip moving it over closer to the other bench. I swallow hard as she straddles me momentarily to get out of the booth, then drop my head to the table as she walks away. What the fuck was that? I scoot in and try to think of anything to calm the throbbing ache between my legs. Nothing I do is helping. She steps back next to the table with a receipt in her hand. "Did you pay?" I bark. She nods. I slam my hand off the table making her jump. "What? I asked you to come, so I paid. It's only right." I shake my head back and forth as I mumble. "Bet your dad would be proud of me. I let his daughter buy me coffee." She sighs then sits next to me. My throbbing issue just got worse instead of better. I make a face then try to cover it. She looks between my legs widening her eyes then meets my gaze licking her lips. Fuck me. I need to get away from her now. Not that I can walk out of here right now. "You know I can help you with that." She nods looking between my legs. Fucking shit. I am not a strong man when it comes to saying no to a woman. Truthfully I never have. I even did a 50 something bar slut when I first moved here. Saying no to Carmen may kill me on the spot. "I think you should leave. Then I'll be fine." I hiss annoyed. She moves closer whispering, "That what you REALLY want?" I look to her lips. Fuck no it's not what I want, but damn it, I will not take advantage of her. "Don't give me that look, Dalton. I'm a grown woman. I know who you are. I know what this would be." She whispers sliding her hand up my thigh then rubs me through my jeans. I close my eyes clenching my jaw as I lose my drive to tell her no. She applies more pressure. Yep that's it. I swallow hard then push her hand away. "Move." I bark. She smiles but it falls when she sees my face. "Dalton, I..." I stand motioning her to move. She stands from the booth abruptly watching me closely as I slide to the edge then tug my shirt down as I stand. She turns and walks toward the door. I walk awkwardly behind her. I need her to go away. NOW! I don't know what the fuck happened in there, but I was way to close to giving in. She stops and turns toward me as we step out on the sidewalk. I clench my jaw as she looks at me like I let her down or something. I will not fuck Mr. LeSage's daughter. I won't. I already feel like a fuck for the way I acted yesterday. Then she paid for our little coffee meeting here we just had. "Well...... it was nice meeting you." I hold my hand out to her. She gives me a funny look as she slides hers into mine. She takes a step toward me. Oh hell no. I take my hand from hers and book it across the street
. I need to get back to the shop. I jog up the street and get to the door slamming my hands against it. I storm pass the desk. "Hey Dalton?" Sunny calls out. I stop short and look to her. "You ok?" I nod and make my way to the drawing table. I need to get this sketch finished and forget Carmen LeSage.